| Vaccinations are important, even for indoor pets. | | | | When: At 6 to 8 weeks, 9 to 11 weeks, and 12 to |
| Some diseases are airborne or can be acquired by | | | | 14 weeks |
| contact with fecal matter that might be brought into | | | | Booster: 1 year after last puppy dose, then every 1 |
| your house on your street shoes. Diseases that | | | | to 3 years depending on vaccine typeDogVaccine: |
| affect pets are present in the environment, and | | | | Rabies |
| some diseases can spread to humans.Any animal that | | | | When: 3 months |
| goes outdoors should be vaccinated annually for | | | | Booster: 1 year after puppy dose, then as required |
| rabies. This includes ferrets and bunnies. If you have | | | | by local authoritiesDogVaccine: Coronavirus |
| a small house dog, or your dog is at low risk for | | | | When: 6 weeks of age, then every 2-4 weeks until |
| contracting Leptospirosis, your vet may determine | | | | 12 weeks of ageDog - if it will be exposed to |
| that this vaccination is not necessary. Aged animals | | | | ticksVaccine: Lyme |
| should only be vaccinated on the recommendation of | | | | When: 9 to 11 weeks, and 12 to 14 weeks |
| your vet.Vaccinations protect your beloved pet from | | | | Booster: Every yearDog - if it will be boarded, or |
| painful and often fatal diseases. They help ensure a | | | | going to dog shows or obedience classesVaccine: |
| long and happy life for your pet, with many hours of | | | | Kennel cough (Bordetelle) |
| enjoyment for you with your animal companion. The | | | | When: 16 weeks |
| cost of vaccinations is very small, compared to the | | | | Booster: Every yearDog - outdoor dogs; can spread |
| cost of treating a disease or of losing your pet | | | | to humans Vaccine: Giardia |
| altogether. Many communities have vaccination clinics | | | | When: 12 weeks, 15 weeks |
| where you can get free rabies vaccines for example. | | | | Booster: Every year, if indicated in your area* Not a |
| Check with your local animal shelter or veterinarian to | | | | vaccination, but dogs should receive heartworm |
| find out when a free vaccination clinic is | | | | prevention starting at between 8-15 weeks of age, |
| scheduled.Your pet's age, health, lifestyle, | | | | continued for life, with annual heartworm blood |
| environment, and geographic location can all affect | | | | tests.After the vaccination, it is important to watch |
| the vaccination schedule. Ask your veterinarian about | | | | your pet for the next couple of days for any signs |
| the most appropriate vaccines for your | | | | of a reaction to the shot. Possible symptoms include: |
| pet.Vaccination ScheduleCatVaccine: Panleukopenia, | | | | Loss of appetiteMinor feverIrritability, expressed as |
| Herpesvirus and calicivirus (combined)When: As early | | | | biting, growling, or unwillingness to be with |
| as 6 weeks, with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until | | | | peopleUnusual sleepiness, lack of energySwelling or |
| at least 12 weeks of ageBooster: Every 3 | | | | redness around the injection site |
| yearsCatVaccine: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) | | | | |
| When: Begin at 4 months old, repeat in 2-4 weeks | | | | If you notice any of these signs, contact your |
| Booster: Every year | | | | veterinarian. If you observe a lump on your cat for |
| CatVaccine: Feline distemper | | | | more than 3 months after it has been vaccinated for |
| When: At 9 weeks old and 12 weeks old | | | | rabies or feline leukemia call your vet. This could be a |
| Booster: Every year | | | | sign of a vaccine-associated tumor.Reactions to |
| Cat, Dog, Ferret, BunnyVaccine: Rabies | | | | vaccines happen from time to time, but for the most |
| When: At 3 months for initial protection, and again at | | | | part, having your pet vaccinated, and given a health |
| 1 year | | | | checkup once a year, is the safest way to protect |
| Booster: Every 1 to 3 yearsDog* | | | | them and help them live a long, happy life.Sources: |
| | | | American Animal Hospital Association and Ontario |
| Vaccine: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, | | | | Veterinary Medical Association, Ontario, CanadaFind |
| Parvovirus (combined DHPP), Leptospirosis, | | | | Everything Pets - Petboro. |
| Adenovirus | | | | |